Why 24 maritime nations will be meeting in Lagos

A total of 24 maritime nation will be gathering in Lagos between 6 and 9, November 2023, for a meeting themed: “The Role of Ports in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has since been given hosting rights for the 43rd yearly Council and 18th Managing Directors’ Roundtable of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA).

The gathering of the 24 littoral African countries in Lagos would be declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, likely to be represented by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

The occasion serves as a platform for the cross-fertilisation of ideas, experiences and knowledge-sharing to guide necessary policy action towards maximising the maritime comparative advantage of the region.

“To demonstrate the premium we place on maximising the emerging opportunities of AfCFTA, which is the focal point of the conference, we have given the Nigerian Ports Authority all the support necessary for a flawless hosting,” said Oyetola.